Scottish Archive Network Exhibitions
 
Other Exhibitions
Helen Guthrie 1663
Jean Cuthbert 1680
Christian Speid 1760s
Margaret Scott 1770s
Anne Anderson 1770s
Anne Wyllie 1782
Margaret Speid 1840s
Jemima Hay 1873
Miss Dick 1873
Hannah MacEwen 1882
Isa Cunningham 1916
Betty Jamieson 1931
Business Woman 1948
 
  Anne Anderson - The Business of Marriage in the 1770's


Image of part of marriage contract

Marriage was a serious affair in the 18th century. Marriage contracts were drawn up between the parties in landed families and also amongst the tradesmen and burgesses. A contract clarified the financial position of the couple and made financial provision for the woman in the event she was widowed.

The marriage contract would state the dowry the bride brought with her to her husband. It also made provision for her terce, a provision of lands or money in the event of the husband's death amounting to approximately 1/3 of his heritable goods. A wealthy bride would also expect to receive a dower house in which to live if she was widowed. Ann Anderson expected to receive half of the marital household furniture and effects if her tailor husband James Crabb died. The contract is simple and straightforward and deals mainly with £73 of Anne's money, which she had invested.

In stark contrast to the contract between Ann and James Crabb, the marriage contract of landed gentry Colonel John Scott of Commieston and Mary Carnegie of Southesk, made after their marriage, covers 4 folio pages and is far more complex.

Angus Archives MS 620/4/45